Aphid
Pest
Aphids are considered “pests” by people
because they often eat plants in gardens
and fields. They are known as one of
the most destructive insects to planted
crops.
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Honey Bee
Pollinator
Honey bees are extremely important pollinators.
They fly from plant to plant gathering nectar,
spreading pollen while they do it. Many fruit and
vegetable farmers rent bee colonies to pollinate
their crops. Studies have shown that the work that
honey bees do leads to billions of dollars of crop
production.
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House Wren
Predator
House wrens are major predators of
insects. They can be found from
Canada to southern South America.
They do the important job of keeping
insect populations down.
© kcolganazar, Pennsylvania, May 2008
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
Lacewing
Predator
The lacewing feeds mainly on other
insects. It is considered a “beneficial”
insect because it eats pests, like aphids,
that eat crops.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43158397@N02/4736353359/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Photo by: Jans Canon
Eastern Hercules
Beetle
Decomposer
Eastern Hercules Beetles are native to North America; they
live in forests because the beetle larvae feed on decaying
wood. The beetles help to turn the wood back into soil so
that new trees can grow. This keeps the forest healthy.
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